Our partnership with the National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme raises money for Macmillan by opening private gardens to the public. As a corporate partner, they have donated over £20 million.
Key facts
- Over £20 million raised.
- 3,300 private gardens
- Funds 150 Macmillan nurses and professionals.
Our partnership
"After Dave died I thought this would be a good way to raise money. People often comment how they feel at peace and relaxed in the garden." - Valerie, whose Japanese stroll garden is part of the National Garden Scheme
We have a unique partnership with the National Garden Scheme which opens beautiful gardens to the public to help transform lives.
The National Garden Scheme has donated over £20 million to Macmillan Cancer Support since 1984, helping to fund care units in Y Bwthyn, Bristol and Chesterfield. This support includes funding 150 Macmillan nurses and vital professionals. Together, we inspire more people to visit gardens to enjoy the sense of well-being a beautiful outdoor space can bring.
The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,300 private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. It raises money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. The scheme has raised over £77.8 million for nursing and health charities since 1927. We couldn’t do it without the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors.
Visiting these exceptional gardens helped us open the doors to the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit in Wales, our latest joint project. This is the direct result of a shared commitment to supporting people when they need us most. Watch the video below to learn more about the unit.
You can watch the video in English with Cym subtitles on Youtube.
Lara's story
In 2014, Lara was diagnosed with breast cancer. After she finished treatment, she discovered a passion for gardening.
This led to her opening a gardening club for children. Both her gardens are now open to National Garden Scheme visitors.
Read her story on the National Garden Scheme website.
An incredible milestone for the National Garden Scheme
Get involved
To support our partnership, book a garden visit or enjoy a series of virtual tours, visit the National Garden Scheme website. You can also find likeminded gardeners on our Online Community.
The Garden Visitor’s Handbook 2026 is also available from the National Garden Scheme shop.